“I’m more calm and confident now”- Iga Swiatek gives insight into her gameplan in staging comebacks


“I’m more calm and confident now”- Iga Swiatek gives insight into her gameplan in staging comebacks

Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek had to come back from a set deficit to defeat Clara Tauson 6(3)-7, 6-2, 6-1 in the third round of the 2022 Indian Wells. The Pole overcame a first set stumble for the second match in a row to extend her winning streak to 7 matches.

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The 2020 Roland Garros champion had trouble with adjusting the heavy groundstroke of big-serving Tauson in the first set. But the 3rd seed held her calm to storm through the next two sets. Swiatek who was not generally known for her three-set comeback last year, credited this turnaround to her change in mindset. She highlighted she is able to maintain a calm and positive mindset and is now able to play the distance. This was clearly evident after she won consecutive three-setters in a row.

Before when I was losing I felt like my whole life is bad & like the base of my existing is suddenly destroyed because I’m losing a tennis match. And right now I have more distance to everything & I can see clearly. Basically, I’m just more calm and more confident,” she said during the post-match presser after she won her round of 32 clash.

Swiatek had a dismal record when she lost the first set, last year. She won only 3 out of the 14 matches after falling to a deficit in the opening set. In stark contrast to this year, she has won all her four matches, when she fell behind. Clearly, her change in mindset and calm temperament has done wonders for the Pole, who is on a rise after a mixed 2021 season.

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Iga Swiatek awaits a tricky 4th round clash against Angelique Kerber

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek

It is the battle of the former Grand Slam champions, as Swiatek will take on 15th seed Angelique Kerber. After a hard-fought win in her opener, Kerber made light work of Daria Kasatkina in the next round to book a clash with Swiatek. Kerber is playing in only her fourth tournament of the year and has notched up her first back-to-back wins. The German might be on a damp run, but with experience on her side, she can cause a few troubles for the Polish 3rd seed.

This will be the first time the duo square off against each other. Fresh of a title triumph in Doha last month, Swiatek is the favorite to win her second title of the year at the Californian desert. Following the withdrawal of Barbora Krejcikova with an injury and Aryna Sabalenka’s huge upset in the second round, Switaek is the highest seed left in the draw. The Pole will be looking to capitalize on the circumstances and win her first title in the desert.

Also read: “We know Novak Djokovic’s temperament” Andy Murray refuses to rule out the Serbian from winning the 2022 French Open

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